Diode holder with spring clamped heat sink

Abstract

A diode holder with spring clamped heat sink includes a unitary holder having spaced apart pockets for the diodes, a heat sink plate, a compression coil spring and connector such as a rivet for clamping the holder and plate with the diodes engaging the plate with the clamping force being applied through the spring.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an assembly for securing rectifier button diodes to a heatsink plate wherein a pair of diodes are disposed in spaced apart pockets of a unitary diode holder and said holder is clamped to said plate by a connector having an axially elongated portion which extends through a passage in the holder located between said pockets to press said diodes into firm engagement with said plate, said diodes having a destructive limit in compression, the improvement wherein said assembly further includes a compression coil spring disposed coaxially of said elongated portion and having a first end and a second end, said first end bearing against said holder, said connector including means compressively engaging said second end, said spring being compressed to less than its solid height. 
     
     
       2. In an assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said spring has a load rating at said solid height less than said destructive limit. 
     
     
       3. In an assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a machine rivet having a shank extending through said spring. 
     
     
       4. In an assembly in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rivet includes a head in compressive engagement with said second end. 
     
     
       5. In an assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein said passage includes a bore pocket, said spring being received in said bore pocket. 
     
     
       6. A rectifier assembly comprising a unitary diode holder having a pair of spaced apart pockets, a pair of rectifier diodes each disposed in a separate one of said pockets, a heatsink plate, a compression member, and a machine rivet compressively clamping the holder and plate together with the diodes bearing against the plate with the compressive clamping force being applied through said compression member. 
     
     
       7. A rectifier assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein said compression member comprises a compression coil spring. 
     
     
       8. A rectifier assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said diodes have a destructive limit in compression, wherein said spring has a load rating at solid height less than said destructive limit, and wherein said spring is compressed to a height greater than said solid height.